Elder Edison Eboigbodin: 1947-2017

BORN in Benin City on the 12th December, 1947 to the families of late Pa Solomon Osadolor Eboigbodin (often called S.O., especially in the Ministry of Civil Aviation where he finally worked and retired as CTO: Chief Technical Officer) from Ugboko- Numagbae/Uson in Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State and late Mrs Grace Egunmwendia Eboigbodin( nee Otuomuagie) a symbol of chastity, a seamstress, a baker and a full house-wife from Egbean in the present day Ovia North-East Local Government Area of Edo State, little Edison had his primary school education in Oshogbo, Kutuwenji and Bida (both in present day Niger State) and later Baptist Day School, Kawo-Kaduna where he eventually completed his class 7 primary school education.

Young Edison proceeded to a three-year secondary modern school, which he completed in a record two-year period by double promotion, Niger Secondary Modern School, Benin City (year one), from where he leapt to year three at Garick Memorial Modern School, Ekehuan Road, Benin City, after a competitive examination for admission into that class (from year one to year three). Apparently following his late father’s foot-step and conscious of his talent early in his teens (as a teenager), ambitious young Edison, accompanied by his late mother who never had a formal education, left Benin for Lagos to sit for a competitive examination into Government Trade (Technical) Centre, (now Yaba College of Technology) Lagos to study electricity for five years. At the time, there were only two Trade (Technical) Centres in Nigeria: Lagos and Sapele. Again, in his usual blistering brilliant study and performance, he completed the five-year program in an unprecedented period of three years with the attainment and receipt of the London City and Guilds Final (Electrical) Certificate. Unrelenting in his quest for more and deep knowledge in his chosen career and in yet another display of his great intellect, youthful energetic Edison read at home, sat for and obtained the Full Technology Certification from the London School of Technology.

Adolescent Edison began his working career as an instructor (teacher) at Saint Bennard Technical School, Oleh, in present day Delta State. He was a discipline master and rose rapidly to become a Vice Principal of the institution.

1975 marks another water-shed in his struggles and successes, when highly intelligent Edison emerged successful and was employed as an Electrical Engineer and Driller by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) Nigeria, after a rigorous competitive examination and interview, involving both theory and practical examination and survey( from ground and aerial view) of major Shell equipment and facilities. With Shell, again Engineer Edison’s brilliance knew no bounds and he was soon identified and recognised and sent to several courses locally and overseas in The Hague, in Netherland.

His rise and elevation in the Shell World was meteoric as Edison rose past the position of Superintendent to a Senior Tool Pusher and Head of several crude oil drilling operations, both onshore and offshore, in Rivers (including Bayelsa then), Akwa Ibom and Abia, under Shell Norh-East Oil Operations zone. Specifically, to mention just a few, they include Oil Fields at: Imo River spanning Rivers and Abia States); Obitie Awara in Uguta location; Ibeno and Ekim in Akwa Ibom State; and Chad Basin in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Following his spectacular effort in averting a major oil and gas blow-out (explosion), and thus saving communities and the environment from monumental disaster and grave cost to Shell and Nigeria, Engr. Edison Osadolor Eboigbodin received the recognition and handshake from the then Military Administrator of Rivers State, Col. Adeleye. Similarly as a private consultant (EDIFIX NIG LTD) to a private crude oil drilling firm affiliated to NNPC, he also spectacularly prevented a major oil and gas blow-out (explosion) at Ologbo in Edo State. He was so dear to Shell Petroleum Development Company that when he informed Shell about his intention to leave the multinational company, Shell instantly doubled his salary in order to prevent him from leaving. But he could not be dissuaded as he had a strong vision to grow a private business venture that would in future help to provide employment, especially to unemployed youths, including family members.

Engineer Edison Osadolor Eboigbodin left Shell and set up EDIFIX (NIG) LTD, a drilling and construction company. He was caring and loving to all who crossed his path without discrimination, including his children and grandchild, parents, siblings, the extended family members, colleagues, friends and associates and indeed humanity at large. Having benefited from good education, he spared no effort to give his children good education. Being the eldest of 12 siblings and as a true leader, you pulled them up (both materially and morally) and showed them the path to greatness, both intellectually (secondary and tertiary) and career wise. You prayed for the young, including your children and siblings to prosper and live longer than you. In that, you never disappointed your late beloved parents (whom you loved, cared for and served) and your dear Lord (whom you ceaselessly served spiritually). Your endless sacrifice to humanity, with joy and humility, is immortal legacy.

Your heart was pure, as white as snow. Your faith in the Almighty God was unwavering to the end, evidenced not only on your sick bed moments before your last breath as you whispered: “Jesus loves me, Jesus loves me”, but also earlier in the morning of same day, you had read the Holy Bible and conducted the morning devotion for the immediate and extended family members of the household. You are one of the most forgiving human beings on earth, quick to forget and quick to admit mistakes. You are an icon. We will forget many things in our life time, but we will never forget you. Those we love, live on forever in our hearts. You are not gone, you live on in our hearts. We will always remember your virtues and spirituality. And the invaluable lessons you inculcated. Sleep on in the bosom of our Lord. Good Night!

• Eboigbodin, former Deputy Postmaster General of the Federation, writes in from Benin City.